There are few things I love more than getting my hands on a new book, especially kids’ books. (And if you happen to be an avid reader of this blog, you’ll understand this completely). The heavenly scent of freshly printed pages gets me every time (no e-readers for me, thank you very much), and the opportunity to dive head first into a new world is incredibly compelling. Books for kids have an important job to do, as far as I’m concerned: They must not only hold their attention, but stimulate their mind and capture their imagination. This season, I’m delighted to find two great picture books that tap into this love of learning with the great outdoors. Bug Detective is the bible for all things [&hellip
It’s that time of year for spring cleaning, home improvements and renovations. And for the gang over on Sesame Street, they’ve been treated to new digs just in time for its 46th season, which begins production this week. Faithful viewers of the classic children’s television show will notice a slew of changes on set, giving Elmo, Cookie, Abby and the whole gang plenty of new space in which to spend their days. Highlights include: -a new garden for Abby, full of flowers and colorful vegetation -a new nest for Big Bird–and now in a tree like his fellow feathered friends -new homes for Cookie Monster (above Hooper’s Store) and Elmo (in the 123 Sesame Street brownstone) -a brand-new Community Center for neighborhood gatherings and get-togethers [&hellip
As a child, I adored Little Golden Books. My mother kept me on a steady diet of these beloved storybooks when I was younger, and once I could learn to read, I enjoyed perusing them by myself. Whether it was a wallflower kitty or a precocious pup, I always felt like I could relate to their adventures. Once I had kids of my own, I knew they would inherit my burgeoning collection of Golden Books–and hopefully, my love of reading. So naturally, when I heard about The Land of Nod’s bedding, room decor and gift collection inspired by these classic stories, I was thrilled! Each item in the Little Golden Books for Nod line pays tribute to a well-loved character, featuring designs so true to [&hellip
Are you all ready for the Easter Bunny? My kids are chomping at the bit in anticipation for his arrival…and that’s still not for another couple of days. If you’ve dyed your eggs, had your photo taken with the town bunny and participated in an egg hunt, how else can you count down to Easter morning? Get crafty, of course! We stocked up on some festive art supplies from eeBoo and decided to make some bunnies of our own. Pom Poms in Bunny Colors are the perfect bodies for your bunnies. Because they come in a variety of sizes, you can create an entire family of bunnies with extra soft bunny tails in sweet Easter colors. (My girls even used the smaller pom poms for [&hellip
Happy April Fools’ Day! If you haven’t yet pranked your favorite little someone, how about getting in on the action with a gag gift from Skip Hop? Each year, the company has its own April Fools’ Day fun by releasing a new product meant to put a smile on parents everywhere, and this year is no exception. Paying tribute to the well-loved Game of Thrones comes the Iron Potty. Designed in the likeness of a royal throne, it’s one toilet training seat that’s fit for a king (or queen) in the making. Devoted fans of the show will surely want to snatch up this limited-edition seat before they’re out of stock. No matter how much they loathe potty training… Tags: April Fools Day gags, April [&hellip
We’re ready and waiting for a new TV series to debut on Nickelodeon this weekend. On Sunday, March 29 at 7 pm EST, Harvey Beaks kicks off its 26-episode run with tons of animated fun. The series follows the adventures of a sweet, unsuspecting bird who teams up with a couple of two best buds, Fee and Foo. And that’s when the fun–and trouble–really begins. In the first episode, “The Spitting Tree,” viewers will find out what happens when those who attempt to spit from the highest tree in Littlebark suddenly can’t get back down. A sneak peak of the hilarious Harvey Beaks will air on Saturday night on Nick, immediately following the 2015 Kids’ Choice Awards. We can’t wait to tune in! In a [&hellip
I am an admitted Hallmark junkie. I love to peruse the aisles of their card stores throughout the year, and look forward to their annual holiday open house when I can check out the latest Keepsake Ornaments. And don’t get me started on their itty bittys line…we’re hooked! So when I recently found out that Hallmark was coming out with its own line of baby and kids’ clothing, I couldn’t wait to see it for myself. And what an adorable collection it is! Hallmark Baby includes Little Blessings, a sweet line of infant wear that can be personalized for the perfect new baby gift, along with layette basics. The girls’ collection, Spring Delights, features playful separates, dresses and frilly skirts that are all ready for [&hellip
What’s up with Mother Nature? While the calendar may say it’s spring, it’s still pretty cold out there. This may be the winter that just won’t quit, but that doesn’t have to spoil your fun. If you and your kids have had your fill of the white stuff, how about warming up with an indoor tea party? And if you’ve got a Girl Scout in the house (or a wannabee one), so much the better for this shindig. Speaking of scouts, hold onto your green berets for this one: Due out this fall, the Girl Scouts Cookie Oven lets you whip up freshly baked batches of Trefoils and Thin Mints in the comfort of your own kitchen. And if you’ll be joining your little ones [&hellip
Picking out clothes for my kids is a blast (so much more fun than shopping for myself). There are no shortage of fashionable options at reasonable prices, and of course, I always like to splurge on a big-ticket item every now and then. Some moms may think I’m lucky because I’m shopping for girls (to them I say, get back to me in a few years and we’ll see who’s having fun now!). Even while I’m out and about, I like to check out what’s hot in boys and truthfully, I don’t see as much style and variety as there could be. That’s all about to change, thanks to the just-launched King of Harts. A clothing line with celebrity cache attached to it, it’s the [&hellip
Boy, it sure is cold around here…and we’re not just talking about the weather. Ever since Disney announced that they’ll be making a sequel to Frozen, we’ve been tingling with excitement! You can expect plenty of toy makers to be working feverishly as they roll out new Frozen merchandise long before the movie’s release date. Last spring, the Talking Walnut reviewed some of Uncle Milton’s Frozen room decor. Now we’re taking a closer look at the latest additions to their growing Frozen merchandise. Among our favorite picks is the Snowball Light Projector, featuring soft blue and white lights that cast snowflakes on bedroom walls and ceilings. With three different light show programs, kids can settle in amidst a gentle backdrop that quietly ushers them off [&hellip